The Little House (Montessori)

Kok Fah Technology Farm19 July 2017

Upon arrival, the children were split into two groups and were led by Ms. Kelly and Ms. Fiona. They were shown how to extract the gel from an aloe vera.

The children were given samples of the aloe vera gel to feel. They then were shown how to rub the gel between the palms and on the arms for a cooling effect.

The children were excited to enter the greenhouse to see the different types of plants grown.

They were shown how to transplant the endives.

The children were asked to observe the seedling and see the roots at the bottom. They learnt that roots hold a plant in place and absorb water and nutrients to be delivered to the other parts of the plant.

The children were shown the different microgreens (seedlings of edible vegetables and herbs).

Ms. Fiona showed the children the a pot of broccoli microgreens at 14 days old. They can be harvested between 8-12 days after planting.

The children were given a chance to sample broccoli microgreens.

Ms. Fiona explained that the water that the plants receive are a combination of rainwater and nutrient solution required for plant growth.

The first hydroponic technique shown is the Nutrient Film technique wherein a very shallow stream of rainwater and nutrient solution is recirculated past the bare roots of plants.

The yellow triangular cut-outs are smeared with a special glue to trap the insects.

Ms. Kelly showed the children how lettuce is grown using Deep Flow technique. It uses larger beds or troughs containing a deep flow of nutrient solution for the plants.

Butterhead lettuce for everyone!

The children were then taken into another section of the greenhouse where cherry tomatoes were grown.

The children loved the sweet taste of cherry tomatoes.

The children were shown how the snow pea sprouts were watered using overhead irrigation.

Snow pea sprouts

We were very fortunate to witness a farmer harvest the snow pea sprouts.

The children attentively observed how the roots are cut neatly from the lettuce.

At one section, the children were given an opportunity to smell basil.